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6.5x55 build question
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I know the case rim is a bit different on the 6.5x55 than the case head and rim on 30-06 but I was wondering if it is possible for a good smith to open up or alter the bolt on a Remington 700 push feed to work properly for a 6.5x55?

I have a 700 in 30-06 that is just not making me happy and I have thought about building on the action. I figure if it would be possible without great added expense the 700 action should let me get the most out of a fine cartridge.


Molon Labe

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Posts: 631 | Location: SW. PA. | Registered: 03 August 2010Reply With Quote
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If one makes reloads from Winchester brass, the case heads are the same as the .30-06.....and use the same shell holder....If one confines himself this way there is no problem....and so far I have....I also have some Remington factory loads in 6.5 X 55 and have no problem with them as well.

Leave the European rounds on the shelf.


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Posts: 28849 | Location: western Nebraska | Registered: 27 May 2003Reply With Quote
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I guess I could scrap the 100 pieces of once fired brass I have.


Molon Labe

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Posts: 631 | Location: SW. PA. | Registered: 03 August 2010Reply With Quote
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Just built a custom LR target/varmint 6.5x55

using a Savage large shank target action & Pac

Nor 28" 8 twist tube...the

308 bolt face acts no different with Lapua or

Norma or Win or Rem brass......shell holders will be

different...great catridge !
 
Posts: 220 | Location: Utah | Registered: 21 January 2004Reply With Quote
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I actually just looked again. I have S&B brass and FNN brass. The S&B brass works fine in the 700 action and a Savage action I have. I can visibly see the rim is thinner on the S&B brass than the FNN brass. Things are looking up.


Molon Labe

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Posts: 631 | Location: SW. PA. | Registered: 03 August 2010Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Donald Nelson:
I know the case rim is a bit different on the 6.5x55 than the case head and rim on 30-06 but I was wondering if it is possible for a good smith to open up or alter the bolt on a Remington 700 push feed to work properly for a 6.5x55?

I have a 700 in 30-06 that is just not making me happy and I have thought about building on the action. I figure if it would be possible without great added expense the 700 action should let me get the most out of a fine cartridge.


260 Remington might be an answer for you.


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Posts: 387 | Location: Aroostook County, Maine | Registered: 09 September 2010Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Gojoe:
quote:
Originally posted by Donald Nelson:
I know the case rim is a bit different on the 6.5x55 than the case head and rim on 30-06 but I was wondering if it is possible for a good smith to open up or alter the bolt on a Remington 700 push feed to work properly for a 6.5x55?

I have a 700 in 30-06 that is just not making me happy and I have thought about building on the action. I figure if it would be possible without great added expense the 700 action should let me get the most out of a fine cartridge.


260 Remington might be an answer for you.


Nope, I actually have the use of a .260 my brother never uses and leaves here.


Molon Labe

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Posts: 631 | Location: SW. PA. | Registered: 03 August 2010Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Donald Nelson:
I guess I could scrap the 100 pieces of once fired brass I have.

Try them first before you toss'em. They may work just fine.

The dimesional differences between a 6.5 case head and 30-06 are there but they're pretty nominal. Most bolts have a tiny bit of slop that allows you to fit a 6.5x55 in without any hassle. Think of it this way: we've been building 6.5x55's for years on standard actions and how many "6.5x55 specific" bolts have you heard of? Me, none ever. I'd try your brass out first before you scrap it because it will probably work just fine.


Jason

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Posts: 1449 | Location: Dallas, Texas | Registered: 24 February 2004Reply With Quote
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I have been a great fan of the 6.5x55 as it was my deer rifle for 25 years.But today I think I'd go for a 7mm-08.
There were different sets of specs in Europe basically Norwegian vs Swedish but they were minor .They then came up with a compromise the 6.5x55SE .That was fine .
Then in the USA they wimped out the loadings cutting velocity down about 250 fps for the old guns.So it became a handloader's cartridge.
The the American companies started loading the round but with American dimensions ,same as the 308 family.
So to make up a gun you have to decide European or American dimensions .Bolt face opening shouldn't be much of a problem. Chamber reamer has to be chosen for fit and accuracy.Then get brass and reloading dies to match.
Yes I think I'd go to the 7mm-08 . Frowner Frowner
 
Posts: 7636 | Registered: 10 October 2002Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by mete:
I have been a great fan of the 6.5x55 as it was my deer rifle for 25 years.But today I think I'd go for a 7mm-08.
There were different sets of specs in Europe basically Norwegian vs Swedish but they were minor .They then came up with a compromise the 6.5x55SE .That was fine .
Then in the USA they wimped out the loadings cutting velocity down about 250 fps for the old guns.So it became a handloader's cartridge.
The the American companies started loading the round but with American dimensions ,same as the 308 family.
So to make up a gun you have to decide European or American dimensions .Bolt face opening shouldn't be much of a problem. Chamber reamer has to be chosen for fit and accuracy.Then get brass and reloading dies to match.
Yes I think I'd go to the 7mm-08 . Frowner Frowner


Not a chance on 7-08 but thanks. I did try my brass and only the S&B brass will work. The other brass is quite different and will not work in the bolt head. I was only thinking 6.5x55 because I have the brass and dies from an old Mauser I had at one time. Now that most of my brass won't work I think I will scrap the idea and build something else when the time comes. Maybe the 338-06 I want!


Molon Labe

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Posts: 631 | Location: SW. PA. | Registered: 03 August 2010Reply With Quote
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The answer to your question is yes. The bolt face of a 700 can be opened up .007 to fit the .480 case head of a 6.5x55


Mike

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.



What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
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